Pushing the boat out and spending big on two young Spanish midfielders can be taken as a statement of intent by Real Madrid, which is desperate to freshen things up with an injection of new blood.

In with the new, out with the old. With the arrival of two young midfield upstarts (Isco and Illarramendi) and Ancelotti committed to throwing them in at the deep end, Ricardo Kaká could be forgiven for thinking his number is up.

Pushing the boat out and spending big on two young Spanish midfielders can be taken as a statement of intent by Real Madrid, which is desperate to freshen things up with an injection of new blood. Isco (21) is a full ten years younger than the Brazilian, while Illarramendi (23) remains a relative fledgling, a fact that strongly appeals to the 'Los Blancos' coaching staff and top brass alike.

31-year-old Kaká looks likely to be the main casualty. Already below Özil, Modric and even Callejón in the pecking order last season, now the door to the first team appears more firmly shut than ever. The Brazilian will have his work cut out to even get a sniff on the bench, once you bring Xabi Alonso, Khedira and Di María into the equation.

Though the former AC Milan star has insisted that he remains under contract and wants to stay and fight for his place under Carlo Ancelotti, who managed him during his 'Rossoneri' heyday, the Italian is hell-bent on instating a youth revolution.

Two Brazilian sides (Sao Paulo and Corinthians) have voiced an interest in Kaká, while clubs in the USA are also keeping tabs on the situation. Although there have been no firm developments concerning a move, one thing is for sure: if he refuses to listen to offers to leave Madrid, the Brazilian could soon be staring at plenty of free time on his hands.